Seventeen: MTOABB

MTOABB

Knowing that I saw Cassandra earlier on with that pretty girl from the picture - Holly - a name suited to those that are uncontrollably loveable - and she said nothing to me -- makes me realise that maybe I am in a one sided relationship- with myself. She doesn't owe me anything because maybe she and I weren't friends to begin with - how does one respect the girl code then?

"I should have told you when I realised that they were in town."

"It's okay Zack. You were all that I ever wanted, but I can't sell myself short. You are still very much unsure of what it is you had or still have with her." I stand up.

"Do you still want your hoodie back?" I ask, although I was willing to pick a fight so I can hold onto it for as long as I can.

"No, keep it," he says, looking away.

"I want to kiss you, but I know you won't have me." He sighs, fidgeting with his hands.

I lean towards him and drop a peck on his forehead, his right cheek, his left cheek and then his lips. As quickly as I allowed my lips to touch his own, that is as quickly as I moved away - images of Cass kissing the lips that should have been mine alone, internally made me want to scream.

After pleading with him to leave, he finally does, leaving me alone in the park with my thoughts. I couldn't leave -- how could I? No one was picking me up - and I had already told Gomes to leave.

I sit in silence, fidgeting with my phone. Maybe I should call Chloe to come pick me up. But she didn't go with her car - ugh. I didn't want Brody to see me like this after I'd told him how grown I've become. He seemed so pleased with his beautiful smile on display for everyone to see - but this time, he was smiling only for me.

"I have some hot chocolate - still very much hot, waiting for you in the car if you come with me," he says, sitting in the same spot Zack had seated in.

"I thought you had left," I say, face still focused on my phone.

"I came back," he says and I nod.

We're back to silence -- the same feeling I had in the car overwhelming me -- Prinse and I aren't "us" anymore, we're changing.

"I wish I could kiss your sadness away so badly," he whispers, so that even the leaves on the tree nearby couldn't hear him, but me.

"I want you to," I tell him, now staring into his waves of blue orbs.

"Rossita... don't say that."

"What? You wished didn't you? Well I'm your genie and your wish is my command." I stared at him, not sure of what I wanted him to read from my eyes - maybe my wanting of him that I kept on denying.

"I have a girlfriend." He looks away.

"Then don't wish."

Silence overcomes us again and I want to mentally scream.

"You didn't shy away from kissing me the first time, although you had a girlfriend," I say.

"She was not happy about that."

Who would be happy? - I just broke up with my boyfriend because of that - was it really because he asked somebody else or more about who he kissed?

I was not willing to let my mind run its course with that question.

"You told her," I gasp.

"Somewhat - I'm no saint, Rossita," he tells me.

"What do you mean by "somewhat" - so you didn't tell her?"

"I did, I just didn't tell her who." He scratches the back of his head. "She's actually in the car right now."

I stare at him baffled. "Then why are you here - with me?" I ask.

"To pick you up," he says simply.

"Where are you taking her at this time?" I ask curiously.

"She's sleeping over at my house tonight."

"So that's your code for "I'm going to fuck her", am I right?" I ask.

He shakes his head smiling. "That tongue of yours needs to be washed-- now come on, let me drop you home." We both stand up and start walking towards his car on the other side of the road.

"You didn't answer my question," I say.

"I'll let your imagination run wild."

"You know how wild it can get."

"I've come to realise," he says amused.

"I don't want you to sleep with her." I stop on my trail.

He turns to look at me. "Don't ask me to do that."

"For me, please."

"Rossita..."

"I'll think about it the whole night she's there sleeping in your bed." I stare at him, finally allowing myself to bare my emotions as it seems to be running a marathon today.

"I need you to stop."

"Gomes--"

"I won't sleep with her," he cuts me off, saying it louder than he had intended.

We finally make our way to the car and he opens the backseat door for me before making his way to the driver's seat.

I jump in to catch them kissing and I'm already appalled, not caring that it was only for a second.

"Babe, this is Rossita, Chloe's little sister," he tells her, handing me my promised hot chocolate.

"The one he kissed," is what I wanted to utter, but I opted to keep quiet instead.

"Hi Rossita," Molly says, turning to give me a handshake which I politely respond to.

Gomes turns on the ignition and we're off.

"Do you think she'll like me?" Molly asks Gomes.

"Of course, who wouldn't like you?" He places one of his hands on her thigh and slowly starts to draw lazy circles.

I sip quietly, anger slowly rising - or is it jealousy?

"I just hope she lets me be around the baby," she says.

"She will."

Who is this person and what baby? I quietly sipped and listened in on their conversation, because I know once I'm home, my thoughts will haunt me.

"Rossita," Gomes says.

"Yes?" I stare at him.

"We're in front of your house."

"Right."

"Night," Molly says with a smile.

"Yeah, night," Gomes says.

"Night." I open the door. "Remember to keep to your word," I tell him, holding his stare before he breaks it.

"I won't," he says and I climb off.

I watch as the car disappears and in this moment, I wish I was Molly - but where is my genie to grant me my wish?